Plait-holding apparatus



Ju'ne 17, 1930.

H. SCHLESIN GER PLAIT HOLDING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 20, 1922? Maine Patented June 17, 1930 HARRY 'scnrnsinenn, or nns MOINES, IOWA rLrirr-nonmne APPARATUS 7 Application filed August 20, 1928. Serial No; 300,900..

llly invention has to do with an apparatus of the kind used for adjusting and holding plaits in dresses and other garments.

It frequently occurs. that plaited gar inents arewashed in laundries or more particularly in so-called dry-cleaning establishments, and that thereafter the garments must be pressed. This involves the necessity for relaying the plaits in exactly the proper positions for pressing.

It is my object to provide an apparatus of very simple, inexpensive and easily operated construction,which can be conveniently used in the operation of manually adjusting the 5 plaits and then holding them in properly adjusted position for pressing.

My present invention is of the same general type as my plaiting holding device shown in my co-pending application, Serial No.

2 291,750, filed July: 11, 1928.

j The present device includes a frame upon which an ironing board can be conveniently and easily supported.

My invention has for its object particu- 2 5 larly to provide in a device of the kind mentioned a cross bar which may be readily and easily adjusted on the frame to a variety of different angles with relation to the lengthwiseaxis of the ironing board for use with 3 garments having plaits running at different angles.

Another object is to provide in such a device across bar or member havingpressure foot mechanism of novel construction.

Still another purpose of my invention is to provide in such a device convenient means for mounting the ends of the presser foot carrying cross bar.

Still another purpose of. my present 1nvention is to provide resilient bars for holding the garment in place on the ironing board. and for holding the plaits after they have been adjusted, and to provide novel means for connecting said bars with the .45 frame. V

fWith these and other objects in View, my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my plait holding apparatus, Wherebythe objects contemplated are attained, as

hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out 111 my claims, and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Flgure 1 1s a plan v ewiof my plan; holdmg apparatus.

Figure 2 is a transverse, vertical, sectional view taken on the line 22 of Figure 1. i

Figure 3 is another transverse, sectional view taken on the line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of one of the presser feet. i

Figure 5 is an elevation of a portion of the presser foot bar.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of one of the presser foot triggers; and V Figure 7 is a plan view of thepresser foot bar, various parts being omitted.

When plaited garments are washed ina dry-cleaning establishment, the plaits are not entirely taken out of the garment. It then becomes necessary to' rearrangetl 1e plaits .in proper position and hold them in such position for a pressing operation.

Inmy present device, this can be done Without usingpins and by quick andeasy operations.

In the accompanying drawings, I have. used the reference character A to indicate generally a frame into which an ironing board may be clamped for use. My frame is substantially the same as that shown in my prior application. "It includes the laterally spaced longitudinal side members indicated infthe drawings by the reference numeral 1.6. The frame has a cross member 22 6X- tending across the ironing board above the board and close to it a cross member 36 extending across underneath the ironing board. These cross members are secured to the side frame members 16.

Let it be assumed that suitable means are provided for clamping these cross members to the ironing board, which are not herein particularly described because they form no part of my present invention and are shown in my prior application. V

The ironing board B may then be supported on any support 24: and the frame A may be provided with suitable supporting legs, which are not here shown.

I provide for adjustable mounting on the frame member 16 a presser foot supporting bar indicated generally at C. The presser foot supporting bar comprises a channelshaped bar member 38 opening toward the left-end of the ironing board, as shown in Figure 1. The bar member 38 has at one end the elongated U-shaped engaging member 40 formed preferably by bending the] bar upon itself. At the other end of the bar 38 is the short U-shaped holding member 42. The flanges of the channel-shaped bar 38 are removed at the end-s of the bar.

For adjustably mounting'the bar 38 on the side member 16 of the frame A, I provide the following means:

For each frame member A, I provide a U- shaped clamp 44 of somewhat resilient material, which rests over the frame member 16, and the arms of which project below such frame member. A bolt 46 is extended through the arms of the clamp 44 below the frame member 16 and has a threaded end on which is a wing nut 48, which may be tightened for, clamping the clamp 44 to the frame member 16. A roller 47 is mounted between the arms of the clamp 44.

In the upper end of the yoke-like clamp 44 is a hole 50. A bolt 52 is extended through the hole 50 with its head 54 below the hole and projects upwardly as shown.

Slidablymounted on the upper end of the bolt '52 is a sleeve 53 having between its 9 ends an annular flange 57. Above'the sleeve 53 is another sleeve 56, the lower part of the bore 58 of which is reduced in size as at 59 and screw-threadedto' coact with the screwthreads on the upper part of the bolt 52. Thus the sleeve 56 serves as an adjusting nut for the spring hereinafter mentioned and to limit the height of the sleeve 53 on the bolt 52. The sleeve 56 has at its upper end an annular flange 60.

On the bolt 52 between the flange 57 and the top of the yoke clamp 44 is a coil spring 62. In mounting the presser foot bar 38 on the frame A, the yoke-like member 40 is slipped over one of the sleeves 56 shown at the upper part ofFigure 1, .and the bar is moved lengthwise until the short U-shaped member 42 can be slipped over the other sleeve 56 and the bar 38 is then moved lengthwise again in the opposite direction until such other sleeve 56 is received in the U-shaped member 42. The sleeve 56 can then be screwed downwardly.

The ,U-shaped member 42 is somewhat resilient, so that it can be snapped on to its sleeve 56 and not be accidentally removed.

By elongating the member 40, it is obvious that the bar 38 may be extended across the ironing board at right angles to the longitudinal axis thereof or may be inclined to various angles with relation to such axis in a horizontal plane for the purpose hereinafter more fully explained, and as shown in dotted lines in Figure 1.

It will, of course, be understood that the clamps 44 may be adjusted lengthwise on the member 16 to any desired position.

A channel-shaped cover plate 64 is secured to the bar 38 for a substantial portion of its length by means of screws or thelike 66. The cover plate 64 has the closed ends 68 and the end flanges 7O resting against the bar 38.

Mounted on the bar 38 is a plurality of presser feet, one of which is indicated in Figure 5. The presser foot, I have indicated generally by the character D. Each foot comprises an upright bar 72 having a vertical slot-74 extending lengthwise of its entire length, provided at its upper end with a horizontal flange 76 extending in one direction and forming a handle, and provided at its other end with a horizontal foot 7 8 extending in the other direction.

. About midway between the top and bottom of each presser foot is formed a notch 80 communicating with the slot 74. On the opposite side of the notch 80 is a hole 82, which in the particular form of the present device is a little below the notch 80 as clearly shown in Figure 4.

The prcsser foot bar 38 has the upper and lower flanges 38, each of which is provided with a series of slots 38. The slots 38" in the upper flange register with similar slots in the lower flange. These slots 38 are so arranged that the two portions of the presser foot bar 72 indicated at 72 and 72" in Figure 4 are received in the slots 38 to slide Vertically' therein. 2

For each presser foot D, there is provided a trigger E. (See Figure 6.) Each trigger E comprises a substantially upright bar 84 pivoted outside the bar 38 to that bar by means of a screw bolt or the like 86, which extends through a hole 88 in the upright bar 84. At the lower part of each bar 84 is a right-angled extension 90 forming a trigger handle.

The upper end of each trigger has a U- shaped member 92, which projects through a slot 94' (see Figure 5) in the bar 38 to the inside of the casing formed by the bar 38 and the cover plate 64.

Referring now to Figure 2, it will be observed that I have provided a spring F for each presser foot.

Each spring F comprises a coil 96 with arms 98 and 100 extending away therefrom. The arm 100 of each spring has an offset end extending into the hole 82 in one of the presser foot bars 72. (See Figures 2 and 4.)

The other arm 98 of each spring extends underneath the U-shaped member 92 of the appropriate trigger.

The spring is so arranged as to normally tend to force the presser foot down and also to pressthe U -shaped member 92 into the notch of its presser foot. j

Thus if the presser foot is raised, the U- shaped arm 92 will automatically enter the notch 80 (see Figures 6, 4 and 2) and thus serve to hold the presser foot in raised posi tion. 1 1 i ,If it is desired to lower the presser, foot, the operator presses on the member for swinging the trigger on its pivot and moving the member. 92 out. of the notch 80, whereupon the spring will force the presser foot down. y i

I will now describe in somewhatgreater detail the use of the presser feet. Assume that a plaited-garment 101 is placed on the ironing board B andiis temporarily held in position by the spring bars hereinafter mentioned. The presser foot bar 38 is then mounted on the sleeves. 56 and 53 at the opposite sides of the frame and the adjusting sleeves 56 are screwed down to about the right height for the thickness of the garment to be worked upon.

The .operatorthen folds over one or two of the plaits at one side of the garment, and while holding them with one hand in folded position operates one of the'triggers E for releasing its presser foot for dropping that foot on the adjusted plaits.

This cycle of operations is continued across the garment.

After all the plaits are held in position, one of the spring bars now to be described is moved to position adjacent to the presser bar and locked down over-the plaits, whereupon the presser bar may be adjusted toward the other end of the garment and used for holding the plaits there.

Referring now to the spring bars above mentioned, it will be noted that slidably mounted on the frame member 16 at one side of the frame are spring bar holders, comprising channel-shaped members 102, having in their spaced walls 104, the holes 106, which receive the frame members 16. In these walls 104 are spaced lioles 108, which receive detachable pins 110. A fiat spring bar 112 has at one end a rolled portion 114, forming a journal or hinge member. This hinge member 114 is placed between the walls 104 and one of the pins 110 is slipped into place. The bar 112 thus has a hinge connection with the member 102.

For clamping the bar 112 down over the garment 101, I provide the following means:

On the other side member 16, I mount a spring bar engaging member G, comprising a channel-shaped member having the connecting wall 116 and the flanges or side walls 118. In these walls are registering openin s 120, which are wider at the top than at t 1e 7 bottom as shown in Figure 3.- In the connecting wall 116 of each member G above the holes 120 are a series of transverse holes 122.

The material above the holes 122 is bent inwardly as at 124. i

The members Gare so arranged thatnormally they stand by gravity in tilted "position as shown by dotted linesin Figure 3. The operator lowers the free end of the bar "112 until the bar presses against the gar,-

ment, and then swings the member F-from dotted line position shown in Figure 3; to the full line position shown in such figure, so that one ofthe in-turned portions 124 will overlie thejfree end of the bar 112. The tension of the bar will hold the parts in their then adjusted position. I j 7 After the presser feet have been used for holding the plaits in adjusted position, one of the bars 112 can be shifted to position adjacent to the presser bar and locked in position for holding the plaits down. The presser bar can then be adjusted to another part of the garment for furtheruse. It should perhaps be mentioned that it is possible to use one of the springbars 112 alone for holding the plaits in position without using the presser foot bar. Thus the operator can fold over the plaits from their position for instance as shown at the left portion of the garment in Figure 2 to their position shown at the right-hand portion of such garment. Because of the holding qual; ,95 ity of the bar 112, the operator can startat one side of the garment and hold the plaits in position, and they will be held in that position by the presser bar 112. 7

If the plaits of the garment do not run 1100 lengthwise of the ironing board, thepresser bar 38 can be adjusted so that it will be at right angles to the plaits by loosening the clamp 44 on the frame member 16 at the side of the apparatus, having the member 40, and

the clamp 44 and its connected parts-maybe adjusted lengthwise ofthe member 16 without adjusting the clamp member 44 on the other side of the frame A, so that the presser bar will be inclined from right angles with relation to the member 16, but will stand at right angles with relation to the plaits.

I Some changes may be made in the details of the construction and arrangement of the parts of my improved plait holderwithout r15 departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents which may be reasonablyincluded within their scope.

For purposes of the claims, the frame A and ironing board B may be considered. a support for, the other parts of the mechanism.

I claim as my invention: 1

1. In a plait holder, a supportincluding longitudinal side members, clamps on said members mounted for lengthwise adjustment thereon having uprights, sleeves vertically slidable on the uprights, coil "springs u ari hts a oresser foot bar su oported on said sleeves, a series of presser feet, slidably mounted on the bar yieldably impelled toward lower position, said device having means for holding the feet in raised position till they are released.

3. In a device of the class described, a presser bar, presser feet mount-ed thereon for vertical movement relative to said bar, said bar having guide means for the fe t, triggers pivoted to the presser bar, springs connected with the respective triggers and feet for yieldingly pressing the feet down and pressing the triggers into enga 'ement with their respective presser feet, s and triggers having coacting notc engaging members, whereby when the feet are raised the engaging parts enter the notches for holding the feet up.

l. In a device of the class described, an

res and ironing boarc, supports spaced from the sides thereof a presser bar, having at one end means for mounting the bar on one of said supports and at the other-end a slotted portion for engaging the other of said supports, presser feet slid-ably mounted on the bar for vertical movement relative thereto, means tending to impel the presser feet down, said device having means for holding the presser feet up.

5. In a device of the class described, spaced side bars, a presser bar, adjustable presser feet mounted on the presser bar, members slidably adjustable on the side bars, having threaded uprights, sleeves slidable on said uprights having flanges, sleeves threaded on said uprights, having flanges, coil springs on said uprights between the respective first sleeves and the said members, said presser bar having openings through which the sleeves extend for mounting the presser bar on the sleeves.

6. In a device of the class described, spaced side bars, a spring presser bar pivotally mounted on one side bar, a spring presser bar holder mounted, on the other side bar, I comprising an upright having spaced flanges provided with openings receiving the side bar which openings are wider at their upper than at their lower ends to permit limited lateral movement of the holder on the side bar, said upright having a series of vertically spaced spring presser bar engaging projections.

7. In a plait holder, a frame having horizontal longitudinal side members, an iron ing board between the members, a rigid presser bar having a plurality of spring pressed fingers, supporting members longitudinally slidable on said side members, the ends of said presser bar being slidably associated for movement in a horizontal plane with respect to said supporting members whereby said supporting members may be caused to assume positions with the presser bar extending diagonally across said ironing board.

8. In a plait holder,'a support including longitudinal side members, a supporting member slidable longitudinally on each side member, a presser bar having its ends carried by said supporting members, a plurality of presser feet mounted on said presser bar for sliding movement, means foryieldingly tending to move the presser feet downwardly, and triggers adapted to coact with the respective presser feet for 10 king them in their upper positions. 7

Des Moines, Iowa, July .26, 1928.

- HARRY SCHLESINGER. 

